TWO BRAVE men from the Marlborough area have been awarded the prestigious Legion D’Honneur award for their war efforts.

Cecil Newton, 92, of Grasshills Lane, Aldbourne, and John Bower, 92, of Barrow Close, Marlborough, were among the war heroes who were presented with the medal at the civic offices in Swindon on Friday (March 25).

Mr Newton, a grandfather of two, said: “I was honoured to receive this medal and to be recognised by the French. It was a very beautiful ceremony and so well done. Everyone has said how remarkable it was, it was relaxed and heartfelt. I’ve been dealing with the French, Dutch and Belgians who have all been so helpful.”

Mr Newton was a trooper for the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards. He was one of the soldiers who arrived on Gold Beach on June 6, just five minutes before the main assault with the mission to capture a blockhouse.

“The fighting in Normandy was terrible, we weren’t supposed to be doing it, there were so many 20 year olds killed. Two people in our troop were 19, it is impossible to realise what happened to them either. I was deeply honoured with this gesture, it is quite incredible,” added Mr Newton.

He was also one of the soldiers who took part in a reconnaissance mission of Lille before it was liberated but was wounded in Tripsrath, Germany, in November 1944 after Operation Market Garden.

Mr Bower, also receiving his award at the ceremony, was a sergeant in the 1st Northamptonshire Yeomanry during the time of the D-Day and Normandy landings. On June 9, 1944, just three days after D-Day, Mr Bower landed his Sherman tank on Gold Beach and over the following six weeks took part in heavy combat.

Mr Bower was also part in Operation Goodwood, a British offensive that took place from July 18-20 as part of an ongoing battle for Caen in Normandy.

Josette Lebrat, French honorary consul for Bristol and the South West, presented the medals in front of the war veterans’ family and friends.

Mrs Lebrat said: “You are heroes of the Second World War-modern knights.”